Kipp&Zonen RaZon+ Solar Tracker

Overview

The Kipp&Zonen RaZon+ Solar Tracker is an autonomous, high-accuracy solar positioning system engineered for continuous, real-time alignment of pyranometers, pyrheliometers, and other solar radiation sensors with the solar disk. It operates on a dual-axis azimuth-elevation architecture, utilizing an embedded GPS receiver and high-precision astronomical algorithms compliant with the NOAA Solar Position Algorithm (SPA) to compute true solar position within ±0.02° uncertainty under standard atmospheric conditions. Unlike passive or open-loop trackers, the RaZon+ incorporates closed-loop sun-finding verification via its integrated PR1 pyranometer and PH1 pyrheliometer—enabling dynamic recalibration and correction for mechanical drift, thermal expansion, or mounting misalignment. This ensures traceable, long-term stability in irradiance measurements critical for photovoltaic (PV) performance ratio (PR) analysis, bankability assessments, and IEC 61724-1-compliant solar resource assessment.

Key Features

• Two configurable system variants: RaZon+ ALL-IN-ONE (with integrated PR1 and PH1 sensors) and RaZon+ SMART BASE (compatible with Kipp&Zonen SMP-series smart radiometers via SMP-enabled interface)
• Onboard data logger with non-volatile memory supporting >1 year of 1-minute averaged data storage (GHI, DNI, DHI, sunshine duration, solar geometry, sensor status)
• Integrated GPS module providing precise time synchronization (UTC), location tagging, and automatic daylight saving time adjustment
• Multi-protocol communication stack: RS-485 (Modbus RTU), 10/100 Mbps Ethernet (TCP/IP), IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and optional LTE Cat-M1/4G cellular modem for remote telemetry
• Robust aluminum alloy housing rated IP65, operating temperature range –40 °C to +60 °C, designed for unattended field deployment in utility-scale PV plants and meteorological networks
• Self-diagnostic firmware with event logging, error codes, and remote firmware update capability via secure HTTPS

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RaZon+ supports standardized mounting interfaces per ISO 9060:2018 (Class A/B/C) and IEC 61727-2:2022. It is certified compatible with Kipp&Zonen’s full suite of secondary-standard and reference-grade instruments—including the CMP3/6/11 pyranometers, CHP1 pyrheliometer, and SMP series smart radiometers equipped with digital output (SDI-12, Modbus, or analog). All measurement outputs comply with the data quality requirements defined in IEC 61724-1:2021 (Photovoltaic system performance monitoring — Guidelines for measurement, data exchange and analysis), including mandatory metadata fields (sensor type, calibration certificate ID, tilt angle, shading mask). The system meets WMO observational standards for solar radiation monitoring and supports GLP-aligned audit trails when integrated with compliant SCADA or cloud platforms.

Software & Data Management

Data export is supported via native Kipp&Zonen SOLARLOG software (Windows/macOS), which enables configuration, real-time visualization, and automated report generation (PDF/CSV). Raw binary logs are convertible to CF-1.4-compliant netCDF files for integration into PVsyst, SAM (System Advisor Model), or custom Python/MATLAB workflows. The RaZon+ implements secure authentication (TLS 1.2), role-based user access control, and encrypted data transmission. When deployed in regulated environments, it supports 21 CFR Part 11–compliant electronic signatures and audit trails through third-party middleware (e.g., OSIsoft PI System, Ignition SCADA) configured with validated validation protocols.

Applications

• Performance monitoring and degradation analysis of grid-connected and off-grid photovoltaic power plants
• Solar resource assessment for site feasibility studies and bankable energy yield modeling
• Calibration reference stations for secondary-standard radiometer intercomparisons
• Atmospheric science research requiring synchronized GHI/DNI/DHI time series with sub-degree pointing accuracy
• Smart grid integration where irradiance forecasting models rely on high-temporal-resolution ground truth inputs
• Compliance reporting for renewable energy incentives (e.g., U.S. IRS 45Q, EU RED II, China’s PV Grid-Connection Code NB/T 32004)

FAQ

What is the pointing accuracy of the RaZon+ under varying environmental conditions?
The RaZon+ achieves ≤±0.02° static pointing accuracy under nominal conditions; dynamic tracking error remains ≤±0.05° RMS over diurnal cycles, verified per ISO 9060 Annex E test procedures.
Can the RaZon+ operate without external power for extended periods?
Yes—it supports 12–36 VDC input and is compatible with solar-charged battery systems; typical autonomy exceeds 72 hours at –20 °C with standard configuration.
Does the RaZon+ support NTP or PTP time synchronization in addition to GPS?
GPS is the primary time source; NTP client functionality is available via Ethernet/Wi-Fi for redundancy, but PTP (IEEE 1588) is not implemented.
How is shading correction handled for nearby obstructions?
Users define a custom horizon profile during commissioning; the firmware applies geometric shading masking and flags affected measurements in metadata without interpolation.
Is firmware validation documentation available for GxP-regulated deployments?
Yes—Kipp&Zonen provides IQ/OQ documentation templates and a Design Qualification (DQ) summary aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 and ASTM E2911 for instrument qualification in regulated solar monitoring applications.